Umi wishes to return to Cephiro, and on a cold lonely night she gets sent back. However, things aren’t what they seem, for a new evil is lurking not far away, and it has plans for Umi. [Umi x Clef, others] [WIP]

Disclaimer – Don't own MKR or its characters. No profit is being made, only
borrowing them for my own amusement.

Author's Notes – Err…long time no see. I originally planned to have this
chapter written and out long ago, but I got writer's block halfway into it and
then put it off until I forgot about it. But hey, I finally finished it! I
bought the Rayearth OAV last week…it's pretty wicked!
I love Eagle in it…he's so badass and evil! I wish I'd written him like that, lol. He's actually not all that bad in this fic…but that's because I'm trying to keep in him character
with the anime, sooo :P R&R and enjoy!

Warnings/Pairings – Rated PG, though I may up the rating later on. Pairings of Umi/Clef, Fuu/Ferio, and Hikaru/Lantis/Eagle.

Summary – Umi wishes to return to Cephiro, and on a cold lonely night she
gets sent back. However, things aren't what they seem, for a new evil is
lurking not far away, and it has plans for Umi.

----------

It was another sunny day in Cephiro, the sun shining down on them from the
sky above and a cool warm breeze filtering in through the trees. Above them
birds were chirping and fluttering from branch to branch and the leaves swayed
casting shadows on the forest floor. Hikaru closed her eyes, breathing in the
clean air and letting everything finally sink in.

She was back in Cephiro – the real Cephiro, the one she'd first arrived in
so many years ago. She remembered its lush grass and its clear running rivers,
though she also remembered how it had soon turned to a baron wasteland just
before and after the death of Princess Emeraude. She
preferred the Cephiro she had first laid eyes on over that, of course, and she
was glad that everything had returned to normal.

With a sigh and a content smile upon her face, Hikaru turned her head
upwards as she studied the sky. They'd been traveling for what seemed like days
now, though it had only been a few hours. The fact that she was riding a horse
should have made things go quicker, but Hikaru was having difficulties riding
it and her discomfort was only prolonging the journey it seemed.

When the horses whinnied beneath her, reaching its neck to grab some leaves
off a nearby tree to munch on, Hikaru groaned inwardly. I'm not cut out for this kind of thing…I'd much rather walk!

But Umi needs you, a voice
reasoned with her inside her head, and the faster you go the more likely you'll
find her quicker!

Her determination coming back to her, Hikaru set her eyes in front of her as
she gripped the reins tighter. They'd been walking in a straight line for a
while now, Lantis at the front followed by Clef, Fuu and Hikaru taking up the
rear.

As if sensing her mood change Fuu looked over her shoulder, careful of her
new armor, and smiled. "How are you holding up back there, Hikaru?"

The horse beneath her snorted, tugging his head foreword
and almost toppling the red haired girl over. With a shaky voice Hikaru
replied, "I'm good!"

"This is actually quite fun once you get used to it," said Fuu, leaning in
and patting her horse on the side of the neck.

Hikaru gave her an envious stare. "Not when your horse would rather stomp on
you than let you ride it!"

"I thought you were the one who loved animals," Fuu laughed, teasing her
friend. "Umi and I used to believe you could understand their language!"

If Hikaru could have crossed her arms, she would have, but as it turned out
if she were to let go of the reins she would probably end up flat on her back
on the ground. Instead she opted for giving Fuu the most frustrated look that
she could muster. It was true that she had always loved animals, especially her
dog Hikari back at home, but this horse just didn't want to cooperate!

Deciding to ignore her troubles, Hikaru tilted her head so that she could
see past Fuu. "How long until the next village?"

"Still a long way," Clef replied from somewhere up front, his voice raised so that she could hear him.

"Will we be camping out tonight?" Fuu asked.

"Most likely," was Clef's reply.

They continued on in silence for a while, neither feeling the urge to
continue a conversation. The girls' hearts were heavy thinking about Umi, and
the guys were trying to push on so that they would gain more ground. The faster
they went and the more ground they covered the better.

After a while, however, Lantis suddenly stopped, almost causing everyone
else to crash into him. Steadying their horses, they watched as he tilted his
head skyward, his eyes searching the surrounding area before he looked off to
the right, his gaze searching the dense foliage and leaves above.

Pushing forward, Hikaru passed Fuu and Clef and came to a stop near his
side. "What is it, Lantis?"

He was silent for a few moments before he answered, "We're not alone."

Hikaru blinked, confused as she followed Lantis' gaze. "I don't see
anything."

Lantis furrowed his brows, his gaze never wavering from the spot in the
trees. "We're being watched from a distance."

Hikaru and Fuu both clenched their gloved fists, ready for action if
whatever it was that was spying on them decided to attack. They would be ready
to fight, no matter what it threw at them.

"Is it a monster?" Fuu asked quietly, pulling on her horse's reins to keep
the impatient animal steady.

"It could possibly be," Clef answered.

Hikaru shook her head, "But weren't all the monsters destroyed? I mean, the
people of Cephiro created them out of their fears, right? They weren't really
real to begin with…and once Princess Emeraude…" She
trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. Talking about the Princess' death
was still very painful.

"You're right," the Mage nodded, "But something is troubling Cephiro, and right now anything is possible." He looked to
her, giving her a sad smile, "You're back now, aren't you? If something is
powerful enough to call back the legendary Magic Knights, then it's possible
that monsters are roaming the lands again."

Hikaru felt a shiver go through her. Clef was right – anything was possible
right now.

Hikaru nodded, raising her hand as she started to call forth her sword. If
the person in the woods was their enemy, then she would go seek them out and demand
they tell her where Umi was being held captive! The magical swirl of red and
silver was just starting to be drawn into the orb on her hand when Lantis
suddenly put a hand over hers, stopping her. She looked at him questioningly.

"We have to keep moving."

Hikaru bit her lip, looking at the taller, darker clad man. "But.."

"They haven't attacked by now, so they don't plan on attacking just yet," he
told her. "We must continue on and find your friend."

Hikaru stared at him for a moment before she nodded, dropping her hand back
to the reins. Beside her, Lantis took one last glance to the side before he
urged his horse forward, the others following after him. Hikaru let them pass, looking off in the direction the enemy was watching
them from.

-----

Nova watched from a high branch of a tree as the group moved on, her long pink
hair blowing in the breeze. She had seen and heard almost everything they had
said, grinning wildly as the black armored man caught on to her presence, the
way the familiar red haired girl looked so troubled as she hastily raised her
hand to receive her sword. The look on the girl's face was almost…delicious!

Smirking like a cat that had just gotten a handful of canaries and a large
bowl of cream, Nova watched as the girl stayed behind to take her place at the
end of the line of travelers. She leaned forward slightly, gripping the branch
of the tree so tightly that her nails dug into the thick bark, and her heart
beat quickened.

Who are you..? Why do I feel like I
know you? These thoughts puzzled her, but she watched on in amusement. You look so much like me…I feel like you are me…but…

Realizing her thoughts, Nova wiped the smirk off her face and ran a hand
over her hair in frustration. Such thoughts weren't going to do her any good –
she had done her task, and now it was time to report back to her lord and
master. Raising a hand, the air in front of her rippled and turned dark, and
without a second thought she jumped off the branch and disappeared into the
void. When she opened her eyes next, she was in Innova's
palace.

"It took you long enough," a cold voice came from the darkness, and Nova
didn't have to look up to know who it was. Innova was
standing before her, looking down at her in disdain. "Well?"

"They're heading North towards the nearest village.
They hope to gain some insight of their friend's whereabouts," she answered. "They
think someone in the village might know where she is."

Innova almost laughed, looking quite amused. "Like
some stupid villagers would know anything about my plans!" He shook his head,
his silvery white hair glistening in the dim light of the throne room. "Nova,
go get me Alcione. I think it's time we let them have a hint of just what they're
up against."

Within moments Alcione came in, bowing before her master. "You called for
me?"

"Yes, you shall leave for your mission now."

"Oh?" Alcione looked up abruptly, one brow raised.

"It's time for you to greet the Magic Knights in the forest."

A smirk appeared on her face, her face hopeful. "So we are finally going to
let ourselves be known?"

Innova narrowed his eyes at her. "Of course not!" He snapped, "I'm just giving them a taste
of my power!"

She remembered what Innova had said about not
hurting the Magic Knights, that she was only supposed
to confuse them and put them on edge. She had been hoping to battle the Magic
Knights, probably outdo her master and teacher in magic, Clef…and perhaps kill
the Zagato look-alike who had fooled her the last
time she'd seen and talked to him.

Alcione frowned, her eyebrows drawing together. When she didn't say anything
for a moment, he raised a brow quizzically at her.

"Well?"

"I'll do as you tell me, my Lord." She bit out, obviously unhappy about not
being able to destroy the Magic Knights.

"Good," he replied coldly. "Now go. I have something I must attend to." She
nodded and left without saying another word. Innova
watched her go, eyes narrowed at her back as he spoke into the darkness, "She
grows more defiant every day."

Behind him, the crystal mirror that he used to see things flashed and
glowed, illuminating the room in a white light briefly before it dimmed to show
a place that was familiar to Innova; he'd been there
many times in the past week or more. The lab was almost dark, a small blue
light above a table flickering and giving off the only light in the room. Zagato slept beneath it, still unmoving. When Innova turned towards his crystal, he smiled.

"I refuse to let her take them on just yet. We both know they'll destroy her,
and I'll be short one more general. But soon, that won't matter," he took a
step foreword, smiling fondly at the crystallized view of Zagato.
"We'll take our revenge, once you awaken. They killed my Mistress, and took
your beloved away from you…" He trailed off, the picture within the crystal
suddenly flickering and changing. Soon it showed the Magic Knights and their guardians
setting up camp for the evening. "They'll get what's coming to them soon
enough."

His laughter echoed off the empty walls, echoing down the halls.

Down in the dungeons Umi sat up, startled, as a cold shiver ran down her
spine.

To Be Continued…

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